Hit the Ground Running | A Friendly Guide to Cricket for Newcomers
Published: 21 Jan 2025
Cricket is an exciting sport played with a bat and ball between two teams. It’s popular in many countries, especially in the Commonwealth. The game has a simple goal: to score more runs than the opposing team. Played on a large field, it’s a sport full of action, teamwork, and strategy. You will find everything in this guide to cricket.
Cricket by chance (a famous quote)
The Teams and Players
Each cricket team has 11 players. The players are divided into different roles:
- Batsmen try to score runs.
- Bowlers bowl the ball try to stop batsmen from scoring runs and try to dismiss them.
- All-rounders do both well—bat and bowl.
- The wicketkeeper is a special player who stands behind the stumps to catch balls.
The game requires equipment like a bat, a ball, and protective gear like helmets, pads, and abdominal guard for safety.
The Cricket Field
The cricket field is typically oval-shaped with a pitch at the center. The pitch is a rectangular strip where most of the action happens. Each end of the pitch has a wicket, which consists of three upright stumps and two crossbars called bails. The field also has a boundary that marks the end of the playing area.
Basic Cricket Rules
The main goal in cricket is to score more runs than the other team. The game is divided into innings, with one team batting while the other team bowls and fields.
- A run is scored when batsmen run between the wickets.
- If the batsman hits the ball to the boundary, they score 4 runs. If it goes over the boundary without touching the ground, it’s worth 6 runs.
Ways to get out include being caught, bowled, or run out. A team continues to bat until 10 of its players are out. After that, the teams switch roles.
Cricket Formats
There are three main formats of cricket:
- Test Cricket: This is the longest format, played over five days with two innings per team.
- One Day Internationals (ODIs): Each team bats for 50 overs.
- T20: A fast-paced format where each team bats for 20 overs. It’s very popular around the world because of its exciting nature.
Basic Cricket Skills
To play cricket, you need some basic skills:
- Batting: Hold the bat correctly, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, and focus on hitting the ball with the bat.
- Bowling: The bowler runs up and bowls the ball to the batsman. There are different types of bowlers, like fast bowlers and spin bowlers.
- Fielding: Good fielders catch balls, stop runs, and throw the ball accurately. Being quick on your feet is key.
How to Play Cricket
Here’s a simple way to play cricket:
- Divide into two teams: One will bat, and the other will bowl and field.
- Batting team: Two batsmen take turns batting. Try to score as many runs as possible.
- Bowling team: The bowlers try to get the batsmen out while the fielders stop them from scoring.
- Switch roles: Once 10 batsmen are out, the teams switch sides.
How a Batsman Gets Out in Cricket
In cricket, there are several ways a batsman can get out. Here are the most common ways:
- Bowled
If the bowler’s ball hits the stumps and knocks the bails off, the batsman is bowled out. This means the bowler has successfully gotten the batsman out. - Caught
If the batsman hits the ball with their bat (or hand) and a fielder catches it before the ball hits the ground, the batsman is out. It’s a thrilling way to get a wicket! - Run Out
When the batsman tries to run between the wickets and the fielding team hits the stumps with the ball before the batsman reaches the crease, they are run out. It’s often a close call and requires quick thinking. - Leg Before Wicket (LBW)
If the ball would have hit the stumps but the batsman’s leg blocks it (and is in line with the stumps), the umpire can give the batsman out LBW. This rule helps stop batsmen from unfairly blocking the ball with their body. - Stumped
If the batsman steps out of the crease to hit the ball and the wicketkeeper removes the bails while the batsman is out of his ground, they are stumped out. - Hit Wicket
If the batsman accidentally hits the stumps with their body or bat while running or setting up to play a shot, they can be hit wicket and given out. It’s a rare but funny way to get out. - Obstructing the Field
If the batsman deliberately uses their body or bat to block the ball in a way that prevents the fielding team from getting a wicket, they can be given out for obstructing the field. - Double Hit
If the batsman hits the ball twice, whether intentionally or by accident, they can be given out for double hit.
You can play cricket anywhere, from your backyard to the park. All you need is a ball, a bat, and a little space!
Cricket Terminology
Understanding the key terms will make the game easier to follow:
Over: A set of six balls bowled by the same bowler.
Wicket: The three stumps at each end of the pitch or the act of dismissing a batsman.
LBW: Leg Before Wicket—when the batsman’s leg blocks the ball from hitting the wicket.
Boundary: The edge of the playing field. A ball hit to the boundary scores 4 or 6 runs.
Why Cricket is Fun
Cricket isn’t just about the rules—it’s also about the thrill of the game. Whether you’re playing with friends or watching a match, cricket brings people together. The excitement of scoring runs, getting a wicket, or winning a match creates memories that last.
Conclusion
Now that you know the basics of cricket, why not give it a try? Whether you’re playing casually with friends or watching an exciting match, cricket is a sport everyone can enjoy. It’s about having fun, learning new skills, and, of course, working together as a team. Enjoy the game!
